Saturday, November 20, 2010

I received a text from my previous high school friend. Her name is Alevera. She was asking me to quote a pre-wedding photo-shoot. I was busy with some tasks this few days but because of the spirit of friendship, I manage to organize my time for Alevera and ask the Pixelayerion to join the shooting. The couple for the pre-wedding are Tracy and Rizwan, a cool and lovable couple. They remind my about the classic love stories and the humbleness that must have in a relationship. These photos were taken on 20/11/2010, at unusual timing. 11.00am - 4.30pm - Malaysia time, I break the rules of the correct time of photo shooting. Some might over exposed, but we found that the colour turns what we want it to be. I hope the couple enjoy the photo-shoot as much as we did.

However, these letters MUST REACH THE DOE BY SATURDAY THE 31ST OF JULY. To make sure that these letters reach DOE by Friday, you can fax it directly to us at 088-244502. We will make sure it gets to the DOE by Friday.

These letters are extremely important but they need to be signed hence the faxing. They also need to have your name and IC number. If you need to send them via email please do so to nocoal.sabah@gmail.com but you will need to scan the letter as the letter needs your signature.

Whether you are Malaysian or not, please do take the time to write.

NOW IS THE TIME OF ACTION, OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE. LET'S DO IT.

Points of concern

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Comments on Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) for

the 300MW Coal-Fired Power Plant in Sinakut, Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Key points for public comments:

1. One of the objectives for the DEIA is to improve on the environmental design of the project. However, the public or technical people are unable to assess the environmental design as it is not outlined/described and it is therefore difficult to know the efficiency of the plant. For instance, the DEIA does not specify the type of plant parts used. To assess the plant, we need to know types of parts used for the coal plant as the type used will determine efficiency of the plant in the waste generated.

2. The potential mitigation measures mentioned in the DEIA are shallow and general. One of the objectives of the DEIA is to facilitate informed decision making. However, the DEIA report does not allow for this as there is a lack of basic design details, poor data on the marine environment, and assumptions of sufficiency based on no data are unacceptable at this level of review and assessment.

4. Earthquake risk: It is inaccurate to say that the site is safe from earthquake tremors. The whole Dent peninsula is within the 40-100 kilometre range of earthquake tremors generated onshore and offshore. In April 2008, an earthquake at the Celebes Sea caused tremors in the Tungku area, near the proposed site. This resulted in cracks on several buildings including SMK Tungku and Hospital Tungku. A New Sunday Times article on 20th May 2007 quoted Sabah Mineral and Geoscience Department director Alexander Yan as saying Sabah has experienced 78 quakes in the last century.

5. Sampling done for the DEIA do not cover a wide enough range of sites to give a full understanding of the site and its surroundings. In short, sampling site chosen are not good enough to represent the area. In assessing the marine area, only two days were taken for sampling and why certain sites were chosen were not indicated. A habitat map showing sand, mud/silt, seagrass, rocks, corals and areas of high benthic diversity should have been done. Comparisons are made with far away locations and coral ecosystems instead of similar habitats. This is misleading.

6. There is no mention that Darvel Bay is home to resident and migratory marine animals like turtles, whale sharks, dolphins, dugongs and others.

7. Fish species used in the report as indicators are not representative of species found at the site. The species list should have been modified to cover locally common, unique or commercially important species.

8. There will be a large impact on larvae fish according to the study, but that there will be no impact on adult fish. It is misleading for the DEIA to state that there is no impact on adult fish as larvae wont have a chance to grow. Marine zones like seagrass, mudflats and mangroves are spawning areas for fish and crustaceans. Impact on fish larvae will effect fish populations over a wider area.

9. In its list of mammal species, the report stated two mammals that are not present in Sabah. The two are wild pig (Sus scrofa) and Dusky langur (Semnopithecus obscurus). In its list of bird species, the White rumped shama is not present in Sabah.

10. There is a lack of assessment and interpretation of results on phytoplankton. The report calculates Boyd’s Biodiversity index for phytoplankton and shows it to have a value approaching that of pristine waters, but this is not indicated.

11. The socio-economic study is doubtful. It states that the community in Kampung Sinakut are squatters, which cannot be the case for a traditional village with a village headman. The DEIA also states that “Orang Sungai” are of Indonesian descent. This clearly shows ignorance on the part of those doing the study.

12. A baseline study shows that acid rain is already present at the site with a pH of 4.66. There is a need to further study why acid rain is happening in the area. It is also wrong to compare agriculture and forested Dent peninsula with Petaling Jaya which is industrialised and urbanized.

13. Climate change as a major impact is not mentioned. The scope of the DEIA should include measures to minimise/mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the proposed project.

14. Despite repeated newspaper articles that mention clean coal technology will be used, there is no mention of it in the DEIA. This is a cause of grave concern. Also there is no such thing as “clean coal technology” today hence it is extremely misleading to use this term.

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Sample letter

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xxst July 2010

To:

The Department of Environment, Malaysia.

Comments on the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment for the 300 MW coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Having read the DEIA report that was put up at some public places, I have a number of concerns on the overall project. There are glaring technical issues:-

• the existing physical environment has been wrongly represented by the consultants, thereby misleading the public;

• the full adverse impacts from the plant has not been discussed analytically,

• identification of species that do not exist in Sabah have been listed, and

• that potential mitigation measures are shallow and too general.

This does not allow me to assess the real situation. In short, the whole study is faulty and should be dismissed.

I would like to single out some points which I feel are important to Sabah’s tourism industry and our potential as a seafood basket for the nation and region. The following are my comments:

1. There is no mention that Darvel Bay is home to resident and migratory marine

animals like turtles, whale sharks, dolphins, dugongs and others.

2. Fish species used in the report as indicators are not representative of species found at the site. The species list should have been modified to cover locally common, unique or commercially important species.

3. There will be a large impact on larvae fish according to the study, but that there will be no impact on adult fish. It is misleading for the DEIA to state that there is no impact on adult fish as larvae wont have a chance to grow. Marine zones like seagrass, mudflats and mangroves are spawning areas for fish and crustaceans. Impact on fish larvae will effect fish populations over a wider area.

I am unimpressed with the way this study has been carried out, and I will continue to closely monitor the next step that the government takes on this plant.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Remember these photos? I bet you do especially to those who officially join our first event. Just to inform you that we will be having a short gathering together with our special guest, Mus this weekend in my house and for those who able to join, please text me for the reservation. :) There will be a cake to celebrate the half year birthday and it is Pixelayer 1st anniversary also, so for those who may want to know what we have been doing, and what are our plan in the future or maybe some tips or you want to share some of your views, please come and join me and the team as per details below.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Here is the other part of video during our outing taken by Jimmy. If you have not seen the Part 1 of our outing, you may go to this link. Enjoy and for advance reminder, there will be another outing this coming July. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

A very different origin with different location of wedding, the father's bride is from Kota Belud, while the mother is a Sarawakian, the groom's family are from Malacca and their love binds while working in Lahad Datu and get married in Taman Putera Perdana, Telipok. Congratulations to both of you and may your love growing more each day.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Congratulation to Patracia aka Kuai for her recent wedding. The first Pixelayer member who official get married to her beloved husband, Mr. Jelvy. Thank you for trusting us always and may God bless both of you and family with better wealth and health throughout the years.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

We continue our journey to the north side of Sabah on 23rd of May. It was the final event for the Kaamatan week in Kota Marudu. The summary of all the events where the answer of who will be represent Unduk Ngadau Kota Marudu to state level was announced on this day. Thanks to Dr. William who kind hearted (as always) let us sit in his gorgeous car from our house up to Kota Marudu and coming home again safely. Here are the preview of the events for your view. More photos available in our facebook page. :)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

This is the continuous day after Azizi & Fifi's solemnization. The groom was lifted up manually straight to the 'pelamin' seat. It was unique and as for Bajau culture, these are part of their best culture and I believe is a tradition from their ancestor. Enjoy the preview.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

After had the blast Gala night at Kota Marudu, we head to north again for another assignment. Again, Sebastian and I cover for Pixelayer on Azizi & Fifi Akad Nikah & Malam Berinai on 21 May 2010. Azizi is a Sarawakian and work in Kota Kinabalu as a policeman, and Fifi is from Kg. Taun Gusi, Kota Belud, a very beautiful land and scenery I must say. We had a very sentimental feeling after the Akad Nikah done and enjoy the outdoor photoshoot with them too. Here are the photos we took for the day.

Afternoon - The Akad Nikah

Pre Wedding - Outdoor

Night - Malam Berinai/Mandi Bedak

Congratulation to Azizi & Fifi and we will update on their wedding day again on our next post. ;)